For 125 years, Leiden University and the Leidse Instrumentmakers School (LiS) have worked together at the intersection of science and technology. Today, that collaboration is more relevant than ever, as the demand for highly skilled high-tech professionals continues to grow rapidly. The Netherlands will need around 40,000 additional people in the high-tech industry by 2030.
The collaboration between Leiden University and LiS dates back to the early twentieth century. At the time, physicist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes had a clear ambition: to advance science by building experimental set-ups and using them to conduct research. When he could not find the skilled professionals he needed, he decided to establish a school to train them himself. That is how LiS was founded, literally next door to the laboratory where groundbreaking research was taking place.
That physical and intellectual proximity has never disappeared. Today, both the university and LiS are located at Leiden Bio Science Park, and their connection remains strong.
“Without the university, there would be no LiS. And without LiS, much of the research here, as well as innovations elsewhere, would not be possible,” says Stef Vink, director of LiS.
From left to right: Victor van der Horst, Beethoven programme manager; Irene Groot, professor at Leiden University; and Stef Vink, director of the Leidse Instrumentmakers School.
Daily practice in the lab
In day-to-day practice, this close relationship is visible everywhere. Professor Irene Groot works closely with the Fine Mechanical Department, where many technicians were trained at LiS. For her research into more sustainable chemical processes, she uses specially developed microscopes.
“Without the people from the Fine Mechanical Department, my research simply could not exist,” says Groot, who is also a member of the LiS Supervisory Board. “We design and build our unique research set-ups together. They provide the craftsmanship that we, as scientists, do not have.”
The collaboration goes far beyond building equipment. Scientists, PhD candidates and technicians work together every day, solving problems and improving experimental set-ups step by step. According to Groot, that close contact is essential for high-quality research.
“We need people educated at vocational, applied sciences and university level. True innovation only happens when practice and theory come together.”
Working together on the future: Beethoven and a new master’s specialisation
The collaboration has gained extra urgency because of a major societal challenge: by 2030, the Netherlands will need around 40,000 additional people in the high-tech industry. Globally, demand is even greater. To help meet this need, the national Beethoven programme was launched, bringing together educational institutions and companies to train more technicians and researchers.
What do we mean by high tech?
When we think of high tech, computer chips often come to mind. But the term is much broader. High tech refers to technology in which new knowledge, precision equipment and practical craftsmanship come together. Examples include medical equipment used in operating rooms, instruments for space exploration, new materials and techniques such as 3D printing.
High tech always involves something physical that needs to be made and tested. Software also plays an important role, but mainly in support of physical devices: to design them better, improve their performance or use them more effectively. That is why collaboration between researchers and technicians is essential.
Leiden University and LiS are both active within Beethoven Zuid-Holland. Programme manager Victor van der Horst sees a clear mission.
“We need people educated at vocational, applied sciences and university level. True innovation only happens when practice and theory come together.”
One concrete result of Beethoven is the new university master’s specialisation High Tech & Innovation, which will start in 2026. Students will learn not only about the science behind high tech, but also about how innovations are actually developed in practice.
“In this programme, we are also exploring collaborations between vocational education and university education,” Van der Horst explains.
Learning together across boundaries
Looking ahead, Stef Vink sees particular opportunities in a strong triangle between LiS, the university and companies.
“By bringing education, research and real-world challenges from industry together, we can develop high tech faster and more effectively.”
Students also benefit from each other’s perspectives, Vink believes.
“Our students show university students what is actually feasible in practice. An idea may look fantastic on paper, but sometimes it is impossible, or extremely expensive, to build. That insight is incredibly valuable.”
